4+

In a word: delightful!

I recently had a rough week and went on a bit of a romance/Christmas requesting spree on NetGalley, and this is the first of the lot.

Agnes' father's restaurant, The Shark Biscuit is closing, and on their last night, she is struggling with mixed emotions. Guilt at not taking over the restaurant with her father's ailing health and relief that it'll soon be over, and though she probably won't admit it to herself, she's going to miss bickering with head chef Harrison James.

When Agnes' ex boyfriend shows up on closing night with his whole family in tow, trying to win her back, she tells him she and Harrison are dating, to get him to back off. She figures they'll be gone soon enough so she won't have to keep up the charade for very long. But fate has other plans, as she, Harrison, a few other staffers, an elderly couple of regulars, a male stripper named Willy, and Agnes' ex Devin and his mother Barbara get trapped in The Shark Biscuit overnight due to a fierce rain storm. As the storm worsens, threatening to flood the restaurant, tensions inside also rise.

The story really does unfold over the course of under 24 hours, but because Agnes and Harrison have known each other for years, the developments still don't feel rushed, and the heightened emotions due to the storm and it being the last night also help escalate the story in a natural way.

I will say it took me about 15% or so to get into this. I'm not sure what it was exactly, but the beginning felt kind of awkward and stilted. So if you don't love this one immediately, don't give up on it, because it is very sweet and wholesome.

Harrison is my favourite type of romantic hero. The strong, silent type, that's a little grumpy, a little bossy, but will do anything for the people he cares about. A protector, but also playful. Vulnerable and with a sense of humour.

I felt the conflicts mostly made sense, and I can relate to being an introvert and people pleaser like Agnes, and can see how she thought that not telling people the truth and letting them down easy was the kindest thing to do.

Also: Barbara and Devin are *the worst*. But like in a good way. That made my blood boil because I was invested, and incensed on Agnes' behalf. And Scout and Noah are wonderful colour.

What a fun book - it's hard to believe the whole book is set in one night, but it's so entertaining!

Agnes' parents started the restaurant, The Shark Biscuit, but her mother has passed on and her dad's health is declining. Agnes' doesn't want to continue the restaurant and they're closing. The story is set on the last night - with all the waitstaff and customers. Agnes's ex-boyfriend and his whole family show up, only he hasn't told the family they broke up. Agnes asks her nemesis, Harrison - the head chef, to play her boyfriend to help back off her ex's crazy family. Then there is the storm of the century going on that floods the restaurant and town, making it so nobody can leave that night. A fun game of seven-minutes-in-the-cooler ensues. It's just a super fun book!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

This was a quick read, and if not for the FMC, I would give it 5 stars. I didn't like Aggie in the beginning, and although she and Harrison had great chemistry and banter, my opinion of her didn't change enough to warrant that extra star. Still, I would recommend this book. The story line was unique. Awesome side characters - except for Barbara and Devin, of course, they were just awful - with my favorite being Noah. He was absolutely hilarious! In fact, most of the book was really funny. I loved that Harrison was so honest with Aggie - I wish she had been as honest with him. Great epilogue too. I will definitely keep this author on my radar.

I liked reading this book quite a bit!! I found it super engaging and it was fun that everything literally happens overnight and then we get a nice epilogue.

The FMC and MMC were awesome with their banter. I liked the enemies to lovers trope, one of my favourites, and I enjoyed how easy it transitioned from one to another. I felt the side characters were all hilarious. I felt they definitely did add quality to the story. The plot was great and I liked that I could picture myself in this restaurant.

The only negatives were there were repetitive aspects in relation to the FMC and the foreshadowing for conversations was quite juvenile in relation to the writing. The character growth from the FMC didn't seem like it was fulfilled either. She understood she was trying to make people like her and lying by omission, realized it, but then couldn't fully understand again and continued doing it.

Overall though, I liked this!! Cute, and romantic read! Limited spice, but it's described well!

This romcom is the perfect mix of humor, heart, and delicious tension! The Fake Boyfriend trope gets a fresh twist in this hilarious and emotional story about Agnes, a woman struggling to save her family’s restaurant, and Harrison, the gruff head chef who has been her nemesis for years. Agnes is ready to close the doors on The Shark Biscuit for good, but when her ex-boyfriend unexpectedly shows up to win her back, she enlists Harrison to pretend to be her boyfriend.

What follows is a fun, whirlwind fake-dating adventure as Agnes and Harrison are forced to spend time together in the middle of a storm that traps them in the restaurant. Despite their differences, they begin to realize how well they fit together, with Harrison proving to be more understanding and supportive than Agnes’ ex ever was. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and as the hours pass, they learn more about each other, their vulnerabilities, and the secrets they’ve been hiding.

This story brilliantly blends humor with emotional depth, making it impossible not to root for Agnes and Harrison. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic is perfectly executed, with plenty of witty banter and steamy moments that keep the pages turning. If you love a fake-dating trope, strong chemistry, and characters that grow and evolve together, this one is a must-read. A fantastic, feel-good read with a perfect balance of laughs and heart.

Thank you NetGalley, Lauren Ford and Canelo Books for this ARC read!!

What can I say, I just love a cute rom com! Overall this one is a 4⭐️ for me. Low on spice level, which in this case I really actually loved because I feel like it really fit the story. The story was cute, tropes include rivals to lovers, fake dating, and forced proximity, all good ones in my book!

Lauren did a great job with this story. It was fun, quirky, serious at times. It made me laugh and I may have teared up a time or two! It probably took me a total of four hours to read this, It was a really easy read!

I absolutely loved this book!!! At the start I was thinking it was a little bit boring... but as soon as the plot started coming i was extremely addicted to it! Ended up reading it in 2 days! I honestly recomend this book! It reminded me of Olivia's Rodrigo song: One step Forward and Three steps back! Anf I think thats why it got so interesting!

This felt like an Emily Henry level book. The writing was absolutely phenomenal. Aggie, her father, Harrison, Noah, Thomas, Scout, and Willy all have a piece of my heart now. I cannot recommend this book enough. At first I was hesitant over the setting only being at the restaurant, but the ending made me realize how important and metaphorical it was for it to begin and end and begin again at The Shark Biscuit. Now that this book will be published soon, I’m hoping for a story on Thomas and Scout!!

The slow burn was * chefs kiss *

These two are literally perfect for each other and I loved how well they complimented and brought out the best in each other

Well holy hell, I LOVED this one!

Agnes has never known a life without her family's restaurant The Sea Biscuit. When her father makes the decision to sell it, she finds herself battling her feelings. The one person she won't miss? Harrison James, the burly cook who take any opportunity to get under her skin. When their last night at the restaurant brings a "rain bomb" everyone is stuck with each other for one last night. Agnes will realize that she had Harrison James all wrong.

I am always reluctant to read stories that take place over one day. How can your characters make life altering decisions within 24 hours and in the same setting?! Lauren Ford changed my mind! One Last Night kept my interest the WHOLE time. I found Agnes and Harrison to be so believable. The growth from annoyance to appreciation was so beautifully done. I am so happy I read this one! Such a fun, quick read.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!

Having recently read Liv is not a loser I was so excited to see this available on Netgally.

The story spans across one night (clue is in the title 🤣) it is set in a local fish restaurant by the coast, which is sadly facing its last night before Agnes's father closes it down for good. Harrison and Aggie are clearly obsessed but love to wind each other up, the chemistry between the two is electric and the banter first class. I loved all of the characters, they were very quirky in the best way. The drinking games, ‘shag room’ and Noah had me in absolute hysterics.

I hope that Thomas and Scout get their own story..I need to know what happened there!

This book crept up on me. I thought ‘oh this will be cute’ but found myself loving every minute of it. High stakes since this all happens in one night that will never end between enemies-to-lovers and it’s a hit. I could NOT put this book down and now that the night is over, I am finding myself disappointed there isn’t more time. Highly recommend this book!

This is my first Lauren Ford novel and I really enjoyed it. Even though the book is called One Last Night, I didn't realize that it would take place during one night until about a quarter of the way through the book. It was a style I hadn't experienced before and I liked it. It worked in many places and I had to take a leap of faith with the author in a few others.

Harrison and Agnes have worked together in her Dad's restaurant for 6 years and tonight is the last night before it closes. They are not necessarily enemies, more coworkers with a complicated relationship. Not friends, but a lot of forced proximity before the story starts.

As they close down the restaurant they have to figure out how to say goodbye to their jobs, the locals, and each other. However, the last night at the restaurant is a comedy of errors everything that can go wrong does and it's comical to watch the characters grow and adapt so quickly. It's emotional overload and they are forced to breakdown some barriers. The night also has the feeling of a Supper Party with guests that you might not have picked, which I really enjoyed the closeness.

This was a fun romantic comedy with many of my favorite tropes. Thank you to NetGallery for the advanced copy. I'm looking forward to reading more of Lauren Ford's works.

One Last Night by Lauren Ford is a workplace enemies to lovers story between the daughter of the owner, Agnes and the chef, Harrison. The whole book takes place over one night, the last night that the restaurant they work at will be open before closing down. The main characters are always bickering with each other, and while it seems like hate to Agnes, they are always most open and honest with each other.

The night of closing, a crazy storm hits and people in the restaurant take refuse there and it gets wilder the later in the night it gets, and includes a fake relationship due to the presence of an ex and his mother who won’t accept it is over. The FMC is a people pleaser and never wants to upset people for be the bad guy, which is something close friends of mine relate to, while the MMC is brutally honest while also being protective and loving of those he cares for, which is more my speed.

Was a quick and easy read

The Shark Biscuit which has been in Agnes' family for years started by her mum and dad is closing and Agnes can't wait. The chef Harrison and her are always fighting. There's one last night but then a terrible storm hits and they all have to stay and it blows over

This is the first book I have read by Lauren Ford and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT!

Agnes has been running her dad’s restaurant, The Shark Biscuit for the last 6 years. Now that it’s closing for good, she has mixed feelings. She feels like it’s her fault it’s closing, and is just ready for this night to be over! When her ex-boyfriend shows up with his crazy manipulating family and acts like they’re still a couple, Agnes asks the stubborn chef, Harrison to pretend to be her boyfriend for the night. She has no idea how long a night can truly be until a freak storm barricades them all inside The Shark Biscuit until morning.

“One Last Night” was seriously one of the best romance books I’ve read in awhile! Who wouldn’t love to see the soft side to a grumpy, argumentative chef named Harrison?! The romance was open door style, but done in a very tasteful way without being too descriptive.

I think the author actually accomplished a huge feat creating this entire story that happens in the span of about 12 hours. Not once was I bored or felt as if the story was taking too long. It’s definitely a slow burn, but it was fun watching Agnes and Harrison make her emotionally abusive ex-boyfriend jealous. The banter between Agnes and Harrison was always entertaining. I especially loved Harrison’s nickname for Devin, and Agnes’ final parting words to Barbara, Devin’s mother.

This was a very lighthearted read. There is minimal talk of aging parents and the loss of a parent. It’s done in such a way that it serves as a good memory instead of the book taking on a sad aspect.

Definitely check this one out! I rate this book as 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

One Last Night is a fast paced read with an incredibly short time scale so the action happens quickly. Due to everything taking place in such a short time, the story edges on the unbelievable but the storyline and writing seem to keep it on track. The main characters of Agnes and Harrison have worked together in close proximity for six years in her families restaurant business. Forced to pretend to be a couple on the restaurant last night in the presence of Agnes’ ex and his family forces feelings to the surface. An enjoyable read, perfect escapism.

WOW this book was good, i read it in one sitting. i received this ARC from netgalley/canelo in exchange for an honest review, and i’m so grateful i did!

the entire book (other than the epilogue of course) takes place in 24 hours, and it was so well done. i personally feel like it’s hard to pull off such a short timeline, but the story didn’t feel rushed in any way. the romance was well developed - i love it when main characters realize they’ve actually been in love this entire time. being someone who is a people pleaser and who grew up with a similar family situation to harrison, i deeply related to both characters. i wish i had a better idea of what agnes looks like, especially because i could only picture jeremy allen white in my head when i read about harrison, even though i know that’s really wrong. i just really loved harrison and his love for agnes.

also FUCK barbara, all my homies hate barbara

4.5 rounded up. This was great, and an excellent execution of the "bottle episode" everything happens in one scene version of a novel. The only thing I wish was that we had a little bit better sense of place (it took me until like 90% of the way through the novel to know we were in Australia, this is probably my US bias) and of Agnes, who because the book is from her perspective we often only have her limited (incorrect) perception of herself.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for providing this book, with my honest review below.

One Last Night was an adorable story that appealed to me namely due to the focus on a local restaurant and its locked room nature. Set on the coast we are there to witness The Shark Biscuit, a local and long running restaurant’s last night as a storm hits, stranding the patrons and staff inside. This could easily sound like it was going to thriller territory, but this is actually a sweet romance whose mysteries centered on what our main characters were hiding from each other or running away from, but in terms of emotions and wholesome secrets.

Agnes is the daughter of the current owner who had run the restaurant for eons with his wife, before she passed, when illness strikes him and he can’t keep up. Agnes would be happier talking to no strangers ever (a point that is stressed a bit too much) who doesn’t want the restaurant. During her last night running things, Harrison, the chef and her nemesis, seems to be hiding something from her given some of his passive aggressive comments. What better way to get to the heart of the matter than with a massive storm that locks these two inside, along with a few other staff and patrons, including Agnes’s ex and his scary mother? The cast of characters really created the fun for me, as we strangers and random characteristics drop in as the storm intensifies. Always sweet and sometimes serious, this is brain candy at its finest.